Fayose promises to defend teachers’ interests after tenure
The governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has promised to continue to defend the interests of teachers even after his tenure. He also said his emergence in the June 21, 2014 governorship poll prevented many of the teachers from being sacked by the government of Dr Kayode Fayemi. Fayose, who spoke on Wednesday while speaking […]
The governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has promised to continue to defend the interests of teachers even after his tenure.
He also said his emergence in the June 21, 2014 governorship poll prevented many of the teachers from being sacked by the government of Dr Kayode Fayemi.
Fayose, who spoke on Wednesday while speaking at the 5th quadrennial state delegates conference in Ado Ekiti, alleged that many of the teachers in public primary and secondary schools would have been sacked through the Teachers’ Development Need Assessment (TDNA) initiated by ex-Governor Fayemi.
The TDNA was introduced by the Fayemi’s administration to test teachers’ competence but was rejected by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) over suspicion that it was intended to sack teachers believed to be incompetent.
He said, “I want to say that no government will ever come to Ekiti and treat teachers unjustly and that is where you will continue to need me even after leaving office. Because, if any government comes after me and try to treat you badly, I will join force with you to fight that government.
“If not for God that brought me, they would have sacked many of you. On this premise, don’t allow anybody to come in-between us. It was my victory that freed you from captivity. I want to assure you that I will promote education to a level where Ekiti will become a model in the sector in Nigeria," Fayose said.
The governor promised that he would soon commence renovation of schools across the state to present conducive atmosphere for teachers to deliver quality services to students.
“You have to help Ekiti for us to help you . We are not going to condone truancy in any of our schools. That is why from January next year, I will be paying unscheduled visits to our schools to see how teachers are complying to rules”.
The Chairman of the NUT in Ekiti, Comrade Samuel Akosile, urged his members to embrace whoever emerges in the election to be conducted today in the interest of peace and stability of the union.
Akosile , who set eight –point demands for Governor Fayose, which include prompt payment of salaries, effecting of promotions from 2013 to date, among others said he didn’t betray the teachers or mortgaged their interests in the last four years he has been in the saddle.